Box-cover fastener.



A. RAHOTINA.

BOX COVER PASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 17, 1912.

'- 1,062,733 Patented May 27, 1913.

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ANTON RAI-IOTINA, OF LORAIN, OHIO.

BOX-COVER FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27 1913.

Application filed August 17, 1912. Serial No. 715,665.

To all whom 2'25 may concern Be it known that I, ANTON RAHOTINA, a citizen of the United States residing at Lorain, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Cover Fasteners. of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in locks for knock down or collapsible crates or boxes and more particularly to means for locking a sliding top or box closure whereby the fraudulent or unauthorized opening of the box will be effectually prevented.

The primary object-of the invention resides in the provision of a device for the above purpose which consists of but two primary elements which are of simple form, may be inexpensively manufactured and produce a lock which is strong, durable and efficient in practical use.

, With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box structure provided with my improved lock. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through the front wall and sliding top of the box showing the top locked in position. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the sliding top showing the locking spring and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan View of the front wall of the box showing the keeper member secured in position thereon.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates the side walls of the box, the inner faces of which are provided adjacenttheir upper edges with longitudinal grooves for the reception of the edges of the sliding top 6. The front wall 7 of the box terminates at its upper edge below the upper edges of the said walls 5 so that the end of the sliding top 6 of the box extends over and rests upon the upper edge of said front wall. The elements of the box structure are held in their relative assembled positions by means of the metal corner strips 8.

The sliding top 6 is provided in its under surface and centrally between its longitudinal edges with a longitudinally extending groove or channel 9, the base of which at the outer end of said groove is curved as indicated at 9. In the inner end of this groove 9 one end of a heavy leaf spring 10 is secured by means of suitable screws or analogous fastening elements 11. The free end of the spring 10 is bent or curved as clearly shown in Fig. 2 and is provided with a key hole slot 12 having a longitudinally extending contracted end portion 13, the purpose of which will be made apparent in the following description.

A recess 1% is centrally formed in the upper edge of the front wall 7 of the box structure and within this recess a keeper member generally indicated by the numeral 15 is arranged. This keeper member consists of a single integral casting the body portion of which rests upon the base wall of said recess and upon each end of the body downwardly projecting attaching flanges 16 are formed. Upon one end of the body plate, two such flanges are provided to extend downwardly upon the outer face of the front wall 7 of the body structure, while on the opposite end of the body plate a single flange is provided to engage with the inner face of the box wall. These flanges are provided with apertures to receive suitable fastening screws. The first named flanges 16 are formed with extensions 16 which extend upwardly to the upper edge of the box wall 7. The body plate of the keeper member 15 is provided between the spaced flanges 16 on the end thereof with an outwardly projecting lug 18 having an aperture 19 therein. Upon the upper surface of the body plate and adjacent to the aperture 19 a cylindrical stud 20 is formed, the upper end of which is disposed in the plane of the upper edge of the box wall 7 and is adapted to be received in the opening 12 in the end of the leaf spring 10.

In the use of my improved locking device, after the sides, ends and bottom of the box structure have been assembled, the sliding top 6 is forced inwardly between the upper edges of the side walls 5 and the stud 20 of the keeper member 15 engaging with the spring 10 will force said spring into the groove 9 of the top 6 until said top is disposed in the position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the same is engaged upon the upper edges of both end walls of the box structure. A wire indicated at 21 is now passed through the aperture 19 in the outwardly extending lug 18 of the keeper member 15 and through the reduced or contracted end 13 of the opening 12 in the spring 10. The ends of this wire are now brought together and a lead seal 22 is applied thereto. In this manner the sliding top of the box is securely held in position so that the box can not be opened by unauthorized persons and its contents tampered with. It will also be appreciated that as no manipulation of the locking elements is necessary, the spring 10 assuming its locking position upon the stud 20 in the application of the box top or lid, said top may be very easily and quickly looked upon the box.

As my improved locking device consists of only two elements which are of extremely simple form, it will be obvious that the invention can be inexpensively manufactured and is also extremely durable and eflicient in practical use.

While I have shown and described the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of considerable modification Without departing from the essential features or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a box and a sliding top therefor, of a leaf spring fixed at its inner end to the under side of the top and extending longitudinally thereof beyond one end of the same, the free end of the spring being curved upwardly and provided with an opening, and a keeper member disposed upon the upper edge of one of the end walls of the box, said edge being recessed to re celve the keeper member, the keeper member being provided with an upstanding cymovable sliding top therefor, of a leaf spring fixed at one of its ends to the under side of the top and extending longitudinally thereof, the free end of the spring projecting beyond one end of the box top and provided with an opening, the upper edge of the end wall of the box having a recess therein, and a keeper member disposed in said recess and having an upstanding cylindrical stud to engage the spring carried by the box top and to be received in the opening in the end of said spring, said keeper member having attaching flanges extending upon the inner and outer faces of the box wall and provided with an aperture, said aperture and the opening in the end of the spring being adapted to receive a suitable sealing wire.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANTON RAHOTINA.

lVitnesses:

JULEs PY, J 01m M. HARDING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

